Corinna Lawrence

Name: Corinna Lawrence
Age: 22
Place of birth: Plymouth
Current hometown: London
Fencing discipline: Women's Epee
Best international result: 14th Budapest Senior Grand Prix
World ranking: 47th
 

Is this your first Olympics?
Yes.
 
How did you feel when the BFA contacted you to tell you that you had been selected for the GB Olympic fencing squad?
When the call came and I found out I’d been selected I was really excited, and unable to concentrate on my revision for the rest of the weekend!
 
Where were you when you were given the news?
I found out while I was sat at my kitchen table revising for my final exams.
 
Who did you tell first?
The first person I told was my coach Vladimir Meshkov, who was obviously very happy to hear the news.
 
How do you feel to be representing Great Britain in your home country?
The Olympics and Paralympics are what most athletes dream about, but only a few get to participate, and we are so lucky to have it here, in our home country. Not only do I feel fortunate to be going to my first Olympics, but having it here in London makes it extra special.
 
What aspect of being part of the Olympics are you most looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to competing at the worlds biggest and greatest sporting event, as this has been a dream of mine for many years. I am also looking forward to being involved in a multi sport event, and being part of Team GB at our home games!
 
What do you expect the atmosphere to be like?
I think the atmousphere will be like nothing I've ever experienced before!
 
What is your goal for the Olympics?
I want to put in the best performance that I can, as long as I  do that, the result will take care of itself.
 
What will it be like staying in the athlete’s village?
It will be really great to live with the other athletes from Team GB, and support them and share the successes of the team.
 
Are there any Olympic sports which are known for having particularly rowdy / partying athletes in the village?
No, I've never heard of any team standing out as particularly rowdy.
 
How is the team going to be preparing together over the summer?
We are in the GB holding camp at Loughborough 18 – 25 July and then we move to the Olympic Village. We are training hard with our sparring partners and working together as a team to prepare.
 
What will be your main area of focus in the build up to the Olympics?
My main focus will be maintaining my focus on my training and competition, ensuring that I am as best prepared as I can be.
 
Is your training routine going to change at all? How?
My training routine won’t change because we have planned training for a long period up to the games, but I will be having some international sparring partners coming over to train with to give me more depth and better sparring before the event.
 
Is your diet going to change? What will it be?
My diet has also been under control for many months now, it’s important to maintain hydration and eat healthily, constantly.
 
Do you have a special breakfast on the morning of a competition?
For my pre-competition breakfast I’ll ideally have a banana on toast and orange juice, but it depends on where I am and what is available, but I always make sure I take a banana with me.
 
What will be key to your success on the day?
I think our success will come down to maintaining focus, relaxing and enjoying it, then I will fence well.
 
Other than fencing, which sport are you looking forward to seeing most at the Olympics?
I’m really looking forward to watching and supporting other events, I would especially like to see the track cycling and track and field.
 
What will be the Olympic legacy for fencing?
2012 is about ‘inspiring a generation’, and through the legacy of this Olympic and Paralympics games, we are creating extensive, valuable opportunities for the whole population across many sports. Fencing doesn’t have much publicity or television coverage, so I am hoping that London 2012 is going to show fencing to be accessible to all, fun and therefore increase participation.